Saturday, May 16, 2009

University of Buenos Aires

The Ranking of University of Buenos Aires

www.uba.ar

The University of Buenos Aires (Spanish: Universidad de Buenos Aires, UBA) is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America, surpassing both the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Universidade Estácio de Sá of Brazil. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 3 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires, Escuela Superior de Comercio Carlos Pellegrini and Instituto Libre de Segunda Enseñanza.


To enter any of the available programmes of study in the university, students who have successfully completed high school must pass a first year called CBC, which stands for Ciclo Básico Común (Common Basic Cycle). Only upon completion of this first year may the student enter the chosen faculty; until then, they must attend courses in different buildings, and have up to 3 years to finish the 6 subjects (which vary depending on the programme of study chosen) assigned in two groups of 3. Each subject is of one semester duration (March-July or August-November). If someone passes all 6 subjects in their respective semesters, the CBC will take only one year. Potential students of economics, instead, take a 2-year common cycle, the "CBG" (General Basic Cycle), comprising 12 subjects.

The UBA has no central campus. A centralized Ciudad Universitaria (literally, "university city") was started in the 1960s, but contains only two schools, with the others at different locations in Buenos Aires. Access to the university is free of charge for everyone, including foreigners.

Reputation

It is currently the best ranked Argentine university in college and university rankings, present at number 197 of the Top Universities 2008 and at number 151-202 of the 2007 Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranking.

History

The University of Buenos Aires (UBA) was inaugurated 12 August, 1821 by the initiative of Bernardino Rivadavia - at the time Ministry of Government of Buenos Aires . Since then, the institution has followed, first as a provincial and then -since 1881- as a national University, the course that the country and city's history have taken. The institution has also gone along paths that contributed to its growth as a cultural and scientific academic centre and a place for the training of professionals, circulation and production of knowledge.

In 1885, the "Avellaneda Law" was passed aiming at the organization of the two existing National Universities at that moment: Buenos Aires University and Córdoba University.

When the National unification was completed, Argentina entered a process of integration to the worldwide market. This new situation involved responding to demands such as the reception of immigrant inhabitants and, together with it, the growth of cities; the development of an urbane infrastructure; the State's responsibility in connection to education and public health policies; and the creation of a political and administrative frame. The State's requirement of knowledge and professionals placed the University in a central position.

The University of Buenos Aires went through an institutional reconstruction during the first years of democracy. It regained autonomy and the threefold governmental structure.

In the 20 years of democracy in the university, basic functions were restored: teaching, research and University extension. In this period, plans have been updated and new courses of studies created.


One of the first innovations was the creation of the CBC which provided an answer to the gap in the articulation between high schools and university studies. The long tradition of university extension was taken up again and the Secretary of Extension was created. One of its most important developments was the foundation of the Cultural Centre "Ricardo Rojas".

Requirements to study at the UBA

In order to enter the University of Buenos Aires, applicants must have graduated from High School.

Documentation requested for enrolment
High School Degree (two copies legalized at "Dirección de Títulos y Planes de la UBA, 950 Uriburu St. Capital Federal), or a certificate of regular student which officially states that the student has passed all subjects. If the applicant is attending the last year of secondary school at the time of enrolment, they should present a certificate of regular student.

ID and a copy of the first two pages.
Two 4x4 pictures

During enrolment period, a booklet with information and specific instructions is available for students to consult. Enrolment for the first semester takes place during October and November.

Enrolment for applicants over 25 without High School Degree
As an exception, and according to Article 7 of the Law of Superior Education, people over 25 who have not finished their secondary school studies may apply to the University of Buenos Aires. In order to do so, they must comply with the following requirements:

At the time of enrolment applicants must present:
ID
Primary School Title or a certificate that states the student has started but not completed high school.

Foreign applicants must present

ID with permanent settling in the country

Applicants must pass an evaluation on the following areas:

  • Language and Literature
  • Math
  • Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
  • Social Sciences (History, Geography and Civic Instruction)

Distance Learning Program

UBA XXI is the Program on a distance basis of the University of Buenos Aires addressed to people interested in adopting this type of program for taking the subjects corresponding to the CBC or for those who want to expand their knowledge without completing a university course of studies.

It is multimedial proposal that relies on different materials and resources for organizing the course of studies in an independent way without the obligation of attending classes.

Currently, this program offers nine subjects, distributed in two semesters.

In these type of programs, the contents to be studied and books to be read are determined by the syllabus of the subject and the study guides. There are tutors whom students can consult in case of doubts or problems.

The exam dates are informed via e-mail, webpage and notice boards.

Courses to get ready for university studies

These are optional courses aimed at facilitating the transition from high school to university. They are useful both for high school students and for people who want to get reinserted in the systematic studies after a long time outside the educational system.


Faculties

The faculties that compose the university are:

  • Ciclo Básico Común
  • Facultad de Psicología (psychology)
  • Facultad de Ingeniería (engineering)
  • Facultad de Odontología (dentistry)
  • Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica (pharmacy and biochemistry)
  • Facultad de Filosofía y Letras (philosophy and literature)
  • Facultad de Derecho (law)
  • Facultad de Medicina (medicine)
  • Facultad de Ciencias Sociales (social sciences)
  • Facultad de Veterinaria (veterinary medicine)
  • Facultad de Agronomía (agronomy)
  • Facultad de Ciencias Económicas (economics)
  • Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (exact science and natural science)
  • Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo (architecture, design and urbanism)


University of Buenos Aires was ranked 197th in the 2008 THES-QS World University Ranking.

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